Moved third reading of Bill S-203, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material, as amended.

She said: Honourable senators, I will be brief.

I want to thank Senator Linda Frum, the bill’s critic, Senator Mobina S. B. Jaffer, the members of the Legal Affairs Committee, all parliamentarians and the many individuals and organizations that helped me raise awareness about this bill and improve it over the past eight months.

Bill S-203 has one single purpose: To make it harder, though still not impossible, for children to access pornographic images that are too often violent, that reflect a twisted and brutal representation of sexuality, and that leave their mark on our young people’s hearts and minds. Why? Because currently unrestricted access to pornographic websites can have negative effects on minors. This is a public health issue, and implementing simple age-verification technology to protect children is urgent.

Bill S-203 was improved with a set of amendments. I agree that it is perfectible. It seeks to innovate in a vast and complex area, the internet, and I refuse to give up because the technology is supposedly inadequate. In fact, the many stakeholders consulted confirmed that it is entirely possible to verify age while keeping privacy risks to a minimum. Our efforts as legislators are essential in order to prevent the risk of serious and real harm to our children.

I hope to count on your support in this last stage of debate in the Senate. The other place can continue the work.

Thank you.